Fleas lead very complicated lives for such small pests and can be difficult to get rid of. Adult fleas spend almost all their time on the pet. Fleas need to eat frequently, as often as once every 5 minutes, and will not usually leave the host unless forced to by overcrowding or unpleasant conditions such as wetting or bathing.
Is Finding Dead Fleas A Good Sign
Adult fleas feed, mate and begin laying eggs approximately 36 hours after hatching. These eggs are small and white and roll off the pet into the house. A larva will hatch from the egg. A larva is like a small caterpillar. Larvae move away from light and will move into carpet, furniture, cracks in hardwood floor, cracks in grout and under baseboards. These larvae form pupae, a small cocoon like structure. The adult flea will develop inside this cocoon and then hatch out when signalled by the presence of something warm and breathing, such as an animal or person. This cycle from egg to adult usually takes about 3-6 weeks but can take longer. Fleas are usually not detected until after an infestation has been established and cannot be eliminated overnight. While adult fleas are the most noticeable part of an infestation, they are only about 5% of the total fleas present in the home. Here are some steps to help you get rid of these unwanted pets as quickly as possible:
Apply a prescription flea product such as Advantage or Revolution to each pet, cats and dogs, in the household at the correct dose. Repeat application once per month. Make sure to remove collars until the product is dry or apply away from the collar. The product will not protect your pet properly if it has been absorbed by the collar. Continue treatments for three months. You will notice improvement after the first dose and will likely think you are flea free well before three months, however since, it can take 6 weeks or longer to get all the fleas hatched out of their pupae, three months of treatment will make sure that those fleas that hatch late will still be killed by contact with an advantage treated pet. If you have other furry animals, such as hamster, ferrets or rabbits, discuss flea treatment options for these pets with your veterinarian.
Vacuum frequently (twice a week if possible). Fleas are triggered to hatch by warmth, vibration and carbon dioxide. These signals tell the flea that there is an animal nearby and the flea can hatch as there is an available source of food. The vacuum mimics an animal and will encourage fleas to hatch. The fleas will hatch and seek out the pet. Focus on low traffic areas like under tables and behind doors where pets don’t often go. Pets do the work in high traffic areas; you can help by vacuuming the low traffic spots. Once fleas find a pet and jump on, the advantage will begin to kill the flea. Death of the flea occurs within 2-12 hours of contact, well before any eggs can be laid. Pet bedding can be washed and dried in the dryer.
Make sure your treated pets have full range of your home. When you treated your pet with, you stopped egg production in your home. There are still developing fleas in the house however and the goal is to get those fleas to hatch and jump onto the dog or cat so that the prescription flea product can kill them. Often owners will see fleas reappear about 3-4 weeks after the application as this is when the largest number of flea pupae (from eggs laid by the fleas killed 3-4 weeks earlier) are ready to hatch. Allowing your pet free access to all parts of the home will help to get the fleas to hatch out of their pupae. Remember that if the fleas do not get the signal to hatch from the pet, they will either hatch in response to the presence of a person, and bite that person, or they will remain in their pupae and wait for the right signal. They can remain in this dormant or waiting stage for up to a year.
If you are bathing your pet, make sure to use an appropriate shampoo. A shampoo made for dogs or cats is fine. Baths can be given as often as once per month without affecting the performance of the product. If more than one bath is given, advantage should be reapplied after the second bath. Flea shampoo, medicated shampoos, human shampoo and dish detergents are not appropriate choices when managing fleas and may affect the performance of the prescription flea treatment. Bathing is not required however. Please wait 48 hours between product application and bathing or swimming.
Sprays can be used and can be of benefit, but are not required. A topical prescription flea treatment is all you need to make your home flea free. Sprays may kill eggs and/or larvae but are often not effective against fleas when they are inside the pupae. Also note that fleas may carry tapeworms and may pass these tapeworms to cats and dogs. Please contact your veterinarian to discuss appropriate deworming options for your pet.
Prescription products like Advantage or Revolution are not flea repellents. It will not keep fleas from jumping onto your pet. It does however kill them once they are there. Fleas can jump onto your pet from the indoor home environment or from the ground outside. These products reduce flea biting within minutes and the fleas will die in 2 – 12 hours, depending on how recently the last dose of advantage was applied. Any fleas landing on your pet will die and will not lay eggs or contribute to a flea infestation. If you would like to see these products at work during an active flea infestation, you can have your pet sleep on a white or light coloured towel overnight and look for the dead flea bodies on the towel in the morning. You may also find dead or dying fleas on your couch or lap after your pet rises. These are debilitated fleas that were no longer able to stay on the pet and are either dead or quickly dying.
Fleas lead very complicated lives for such small pests and can be difficult to get rid of. Adult fleas spend almost all their time on the pet. Fleas need to eat frequently, as often as once every 5 minutes, and will not usually leave the host unless forced to by overcrowding or unpleasant conditions such as wetting or bathing. Adult fleas feed, mate and begin laying eggs approximately 36 hours after hatching. These eggs are small and white and roll off the pet into the house. A larva will hatch from the egg. A larva is like a small caterpillar. Larvae move away from light and will move into carpet, furniture, cracks in hardwood floor, cracks in grout and under baseboards. These larvae form pupae, a small cocoon like structure. The adult flea will develop inside this cocoon and then hatch out when signalled by the presence of something warm and breathing, such as an animal or person. This cycle from egg to adult usually takes about 3-6 weeks but can take longer. Fleas are usually not detected until after an infestation has been established and cannot be eliminated overnight. While adult fleas are the most noticeable part of an infestation, they are only about 5% of the total fleas present in the home. Here are some steps to help you get rid of these unwanted pets as quickly as possible:
Apply a prescription flea product such as Advantage or Revolution to each pet, cats and dogs, in the household at the correct dose. Repeat application once per month. Make sure to remove collars until the product is dry or apply away from the collar. The product will not protect your pet properly if it has been absorbed by the collar. Continue treatments for three months. You will notice improvement after the first dose and will likely think you are flea free well before three months, however since, it can take 6 weeks or longer to get all the fleas hatched out of their pupae, three months of treatment will make sure that those fleas that hatch late will still be killed by contact with an advantage treated pet. If you have other furry animals, such as hamster, ferrets or rabbits, discuss flea treatment options for these pets with your veterinarian.
Vacuum frequently (twice a week if possible). Fleas are triggered to hatch by warmth, vibration and carbon dioxide. These signals tell the flea that there is an animal nearby and the flea can hatch as there is an available source of food. The vacuum mimics an animal and will encourage fleas to hatch. The fleas will hatch and seek out the pet. Focus on low traffic areas like under tables and behind doors where pets don’t often go. Pets do the work in high traffic areas; you can help by vacuuming the low traffic spots. Once fleas find a pet and jump on, the advantage will begin to kill the flea. Death of the flea occurs within 2-12 hours of contact, well before any eggs can be laid. Pet bedding can be washed and dried in the dryer.
Make sure your treated pets have full range of your home. When you treated your pet with, you stopped egg production in your home. There are still developing fleas in the house however and the goal is to get those fleas to hatch and jump onto the dog or cat so that the prescription flea product can kill them. Often owners will see fleas reappear about 3-4 weeks after the application as this is when the largest number of flea pupae (from eggs laid by the fleas killed 3-4 weeks earlier) are ready to hatch. Allowing your pet free access to all parts of the home will help to get the fleas to hatch out of their pupae. Remember that if the fleas do not get the signal to hatch from the pet, they will either hatch in response to the presence of a person, and bite that person, or they will remain in their pupae and wait for the right signal. They can remain in this dormant or waiting stage for up to a year.
If you are bathing your pet, make sure to use an appropriate shampoo. A shampoo made for dogs or cats is fine. Baths can be given as often as once per month without affecting the performance of the product. If more than one bath is given, advantage should be reapplied after the second bath. Flea shampoo, medicated shampoos, human shampoo and dish detergents are not appropriate choices when managing fleas and may affect the performance of the prescription flea treatment. Bathing is not required however. Please wait 48 hours between product application and bathing or swimming.
Sprays can be used and can be of benefit, but are not required. A topical prescription flea treatment is all you need to make your home flea free. Sprays may kill eggs and/or larvae but are often not effective against fleas when they are inside the pupae. Also note that fleas may carry tapeworms and may pass these tapeworms to cats and dogs. Please contact your veterinarian to discuss appropriate deworming options for your pet.
Is Finding Dead Fleas A Good Sign
It’s every pet owners dread – the telltale scratching of your animal, the annoying bite on your arm. It can only be one thing. A dreaded flea infestation.
Fleas are incredibly resourceful little devils. They jump onto the lovely fur coat of your cat or dog and lay their eggs there. The eggs then get spread about your home as your pet cosies up on the sofa, climbs the stairs and rolls around on your favourite rug.
Most people’s reaction is to grab a ‘spot-on product’, treat their pet and then sit back and relax. A couple of days later, as you’re grooming your pet, the dead fleas emerge and bingo, job done. Or not, as the case may be.
List Of Products That Kill Fleas
CAPSTAR (nitenpyram) Oral Flea Treatment for Cats, Fast Acting Tablets Start Killing Fleas in 30 Minutes, Cats 2-25 lbs, 6 Doses
Price : $39.98
Features :
- FAST-ACTING FLEA TREATMENT: One oral flea tablet starts killing fleas within 30 minutes.
- TACKLE FLEA INFESTATIONS FAST: Give Capstar oral flea treatment and watch dead fleas fall off your pet.
- TREAT RE-INFESTATIONS FAST: If your pet gets re-invested with fleas, simply give another dose as often as once a day.
- WITHOUT A VET PRESCRIPTION: Flea treatment without needing a veterinarian prescription, administer this cat flea tablet orally to kill adult fleas fast.
- KILL ADULT FLEAS: Capstar oral flea treatment tablets (11.4 mg) are safe for cats and kittens from 2-25 lbs., four (4) weeks and older.
Wondercide – Ready to Use Flea, Tick, and Mosquito Yard Spray with Natural Essential Oils – Mosquito and Insect Killer, Treatment, and Repellent – Plant-Based – Safe Around Pets, Plants, Kids – 32 oz
Price : $37.99 ($1.19 / Ounce)
Features :
- KILLS & REPELS. A flea and tick yard treatment and preventative, this pest-repellent spray is powered by natural essential oils and protects your pets and family.
- SPRAY & PLAY! Safe around cats, dogs and people of all ages when used as directed, with no wait time for drying or reentry into sprayed areas and environments. Just attach directly to a garden hose, spray your backyard, and enjoy. Keep the bottle & Refill the sprayer with our Flea and Tick Spray Concentrate!
- TREATS UP TO 5,000 SQUARE FEET. Can be safely used on lawns, gardens, grass, patios, dog kennels, vegetables, flowers, siding, brick, paint and more. Treat an existing pest infestation or for prevention. Application coverage depends on water pressure and walking speed.
- NO NASTY INGREDIENTS. No artificial colors, fragrances or harsh pesticides. Made in the USA from powerful, sustainable, plant-based ingredients. Safe when sprayed outdoors around pets, kids, and beneficial insects like bees and butterflies when used as directed. Cruelty-Free and biodegradable. Keep the bottle & Refill the sprayer with our Flea and Tick Spray Concentrate!
- POWERFULLY EFFECTIVE WITH NATURAL ESSENTIAL OILS. Powered by cedar oil, Wondercide is pest protection that’s proven to work, especially for flea, tick, and mosquito removal. Packaging May Vary.
Goli Apple Cider Vinegar Gummy Vitamins – 60 Count – Vitamins B9 & B12, Gelatin-Free, Gluten-Free, Vegan & Non-GMO
Price : $18.98 ($0.32 / Count)
Features :
- Vegan, Non-GMO, Gluten-free & Gelatin-free: Each bottle of Goli contains 60 delicious, vegan, non-gmo, gluten-free & gelatin-free Apple Cider Vinegar gummies, which makes them suitable for almost any lifestyle.
- Made in the USA with locally and globally sourced ingredients. Goli Gummies are made in allergen-free, cGMP certified facilities in the United States with local and globally sourced ingredients to ensure that our products are reputable and of the highest quality standards.
- Patented Formula, Essential Vitamins, Great Taste: Our patented formula contains essential Vitamins B9 and B12 to help support cellular energy production, immune function, heart health, healthy nutrient metabolism, a healthy nervous system and overall health and wellbeing. Apple Cider Vinegar has traditionally been used for digestion, gut health and appetite. Our unique flavor profile combined with essential vitamins makes Goli ACV Gummies a delicious addition to your daily health routine.
- Vitamin Angels: Goli is a proud supporter of Vitamin Angels
Cheristin for Cats Topical Flea Prevention – Starts Killing Fleas in 30 Minutes, 6 Dose
Price :
Features :
- Topical flea treatment and prevention designed just for cats
- Long-lasting treatment protects against fleas through 6 weeks
- One-size-fits-all for all cats and kittens over 1.8 lbs and 8 weeks old
- Twist-to-use applicator for clean, easy application
- Starts killing fleas in only 30 minutes and kills 98-100% of fleas in 12 hours in a controlled study